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There really is something for everyone this spring: luxury convertibles, everyday compacts and inexpensive family cars will be launched in the next few months. Many innovations are electric.
When the sun is shining and the sky is clear, driving is twice as much fun as in autumn and winter. Fittingly come in this one Spring a whole series of interesting types on the market. Twelve completely new or lifted examples.
Alfa Romeo tonal
With the Tonale, the Stellantis subsidiary has added a compact brother to its power SUV Stelvio. This should also score points with Italian design and a decidedly sporty character. For this purpose, the technical basis taken over from the Jeep Compass is ironed towards dynamics. At the end of the year, a plug-in hybrid and all-wheel drive should also ensure that this does not turn into excessive consumption. At the market launch in April there will initially be petrol and diesel engines with 96 kW/130 hp or 118 kW/160 hp, each of which will have to make do with front-wheel drive. Prices should start above 30.000 euros.
Audi A8 FL
The Mercedes S-Class is new, the BMW 7 Series is about to change generations. In order not to be left behind in the luxury class, Audi has once again significantly upgraded its largest sedan. Visually, the changes in the facelift are so minor that they are only noticed by brand connoisseurs. There are also new matrix headlights and modernized infotainment. The engines have also been slightly optimized: the plug-in hybrid with 462 hp is now a little more powerful than before, and its electric range has also increased to 59 kilometers. Prices start at 97.800 euros.
Citroën C5 X
After a five-year break, Citroen is returning to the middle class with the C5 X at the turn of the year. The successor to the C5 station wagon relies on a fashionable crossover look, but remains more attached to its predecessor in terms of core and proportions. The brand's new flagship wants to distinguish itself with the "Advanced Comfort" chassis with hydraulic shock absorber stops, which is intended to ensure comfortable driving behavior. Instead of diesel, there are plug-in hybrids with up to 165 kW/225 hp. The price of the new brand flagship starts at 35.730 euros - no other conventionally powered model from the French is more expensive.
Dacia jogger
The Romanians are replacing their rather prosaic family van Lodgy with the Jogger, which has been upgraded with crossover elements. The new one also offers space for up to seven occupants, but packs it much more pleasantly than last time. In addition to petrol and LPG engines, there will be a full hybrid for the drive for the first time, but probably not until 2023. The price, which starts at 13.990 euros, should be unbeatable. Even with the best equipment, it remains below 18.000 euros. Deliveries begin in March.
Ford Focus
With the new Opel Astra in mind, Ford has polished its competitor Focus four years after its market launch. The future five-door car, which will cost at least 22.450 euros, as well as the estate car, available from 23.650 euros, are characterized by a modified bonnet, a brand logo that has migrated to the radiator grille and new LED headlights. There is also a larger screen in the interior, more networking and upgraded assistance systems, which, among other things, intervene in the steering when there is a risk of collision when changing lanes.
Genesis GV60
After the Korean premium brand, founded in 2015, recently expanded its conventional model range, the launch of the first purely electric model is now pending. The mid-size crossover uses the 800-volt technology of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 brothers, garnished with new high-tech features and a decidedly dynamic design. When it comes to the drive, there is a choice between single- and twin-engine variants with power values of up to 360 kW/490 hp. The prices will probably start at around 50.000 euros (before deducting the innovation premium) for the single-engine version.
Honda HR-V
The Japanese rely fully on the hybrid in Europe. After the CR-V and Jazz, the small crossover HR-V is now coming to Germany exclusively with the double drive that cannot be charged from the outside. There, the petrol engine usually only works as a power generator, while the wheels are driven by the electric motor, which means that the Honda should drive powerfully and quietly like an electric car. The drive does its job behind an angular front that characterizes the front of the mini-SUV, while the rear is fashionably slanted and provides visual dynamics. As usual with Honda, the HR-V is priced relatively self-confidently: at least 30.400 euros are due.
Mercedes SL
Mercedes has put together what is probably the biggest novelty package of the year. The new edition of the brand icon SL, which was developed for the first time under the direction of in-house tuner AMG and should appear correspondingly dynamic, made the start of the premiere series at the beginning of the year. At first glance, this is indicated by a V430 drive with an output of up to 585 kW/8 hp, but also the all-wheel drive technology offered for the first time, the lightweight aluminum construction and a sensitively tuned chassis. The latter can not only be tough and sporty, but also masters the comfortable gait typical of the brand. If you want to enjoy the combination in the open air, you should have around 160.000 euros ready in April.
Opel Astra
The Astra has now been part of the Opel brand core for five vehicle generations. The new edition, starting at the beginning of the year, has Stellantis genes under the sheet metal for the first time, sharing the technology with the Peugeot 308 and DS 4, among others. The design in the fresh style of the brand ensures its own profile, which provides a major modernization boost, especially in the interior cares. In addition to diesel and petrol engines, there are three plug-in hybrids with up to 220 kW/300 hp and, for the first time, a purely electric variant from 2023. When it comes to the body, customers have the choice between a classic five-door hatchback and a station wagon. Prices initially start at 30.350 euros.
Renault Megane E-Tech Electric
With the Mégane E-Tech, the French are targeting the VW ID.3. The compact model, which is kept in a gentle crossover style, stands on a completely new electric platform that allows good space conditions at a length of only 4,20 meters. The range is also impressive: the five-door can travel up to 470 kilometers per battery charge. As is now common in this segment, there are different battery sizes and motor power levels to choose from. Renault also offers several gradations from slow to fast when it comes to charging technology. The prices are based on those of the North German competitor and start at 35.200 euros - but then without the quick charge function, which costs at least 1.800 euros.
Skoda Enyaq coupe
Skoda's ID.4 offshoot is selling almost as well across Europe as its sister model from Wolfsburg. It is clear that the Czechs want to keep swimming with the wave - which should succeed with the coupé version that has now been launched. The coupé differs from the standard Enyaq primarily in the sloping roof line, which ends in a sloping tailgate with a sharp spoiler lip. The sleek appearance is underpinned by the corresponding performance: In the top-of-the-range RS model, which was pre-released on the market, two engines provide 220 kW/300 hp. Cost point: 57.700 euros.
Toyota AygoX
While the competition is withdrawing more and more from the small car segment, Toyota is daring to make an ambitious new start in the smallest class. However, the Aygo successor is not a typical city mini, but a fashionable crossover in micro format. It offers robust style, a slightly elevated seating position and lots of optional equipment. A 53 kW/72 hp 1,0-liter three-cylinder takes over the drive, there are initially no electric motors. The prices start at 15.400 euros and can also rise significantly thanks to the extensive optic upgrades.
VW ID.5
After three and four comes five: The ID.3, derived from the ID.4 and ID.5, is a somewhat refined coupé offshoot of the compact SUV ID.4, which offers a crisper design and faster charging technology at prices starting at 47.500 euros. There is a choice of two models with rear-wheel drive and 128 kW/174 hp or 150 kW/204 hp, as well as the provisional top variant GTX with 220 kW/299 hp, all-wheel drive and a top speed of 180 km/h. A 77 kWh battery is used as the energy store in all versions, which should enable a range of up to 520 kilometers.